Work holder



Patented Aug. 22, 1944u 7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE e .-1 l 2,356,591 j l WORK-HOLDER John r Jesionowski, Hartford, Conn. Application November 22, 1940, Serial No. k366,687

` la. claims'. (c1. :ir-:199)

My invention relates to work holders.

It has among its objects to provide an improved work holder and, more particularly, such a work holder of the vtype known as a V-block and adapted to hold round work or the like. A further object of my invention is to provide such an improved block having improved detent mechanism wherebythe yoke, upon insertion into the block, is automaticallyl gripped, and whereinthe detent is quickly releasable manually to permit removal of the work, all in 4'such manneras markedly to facilitate and vexpedite the connection and release of the work. Stillv further objects of my invention are to provide improved cooperating detent mechanism on the yoke and block and to provide suchv an improved mechanism including improved prongs-n the yoke and improved cooperating manually releasable members on the block whereby it is made possible materially to expedite the clamping of the work in the block, while also expediting the removal of the work from the block. Other objects of my `invention are to provide such an improved V- block construction wherein the yoke may be connected in different relations to the block in such manner as to adapt the same to a wide field of use, while the block, yoke and detent mechanism carried on the latter are of such` an improved and simplified construction as; while enabling the latter to be accurate, also to be capable of being inexpensively produced. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear. In the accompanying drawing, I have shown for purposes of illustration certain embodiments which-my invention may assume in practice.

In this drawingz- 1 Figure 1 is 'an end elevation of one form of my improved V-block;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Fig. i is a section on line 4 4 of Figure 2, the yoke, however, being removed and the detents in the block being shown in releasing position; Fig. 5 is a planview of the construction shown in .Figure 2, the yoke and a portion of the block being shown in horizontal section' to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Figure 3 but showing a modied construction;

Fig. 7 is an end view of a block carrying a further modied form of detent mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the block shown in Figure 7, and l isa section on line 9 9. of Figure 8.

Referring rst to the form shown in Figures 1 to 5, it will be noted that I have shown a V-block, generally indicated at I, and carrying a yoke 2 including a vertically adjustable work holding clamp 3 threaded in the yoke 2; improved connecting mechanism hereinafter described being provided between the yoke 2 and the block I.

Referring more particularly to the yoke, it will be noted that the same is of an improved construction. Herein the same is provided with shoulders 4 at its lower end carrying .depending generally cylindrical holding members or prongs 5 which are receivable in block I, as hereinafter described. I-lere it will also-be noted that these members 5 herein eXtendbeloW the horizontal center line of the block I andare provided withA i transverse horizontally disposed generally rectangular notches Gonthe opposite inner faces thereof. Further, these holding members herein are provided with suitable tapered ends or lower extremities 'I spaced below the notches 6, and preferably including elongated slopingfaces leading toward the notched surfaces and spaced therefrom by a wearing portion 8 on the periph- -eryof these members. Thus, it will be evident that the yoke 2 is insertable verticallythrough the upper ends of parallel vertical apertures 9 in the block I of but slightly larger diameter than the members 5, while the latter are so con'- structed that their lower ends I may deflect and pass beyond cooperating detent mechanism, hereinafter described and carried by the block I, in such manner as to enable the detent mechanism to be received in the notches 6.

Referring more particularly to the block 'I, it

will be observed that the same is herein provided with a series of parallel apertures 9 spacedlongitudinally along the block vand extending clear through from top to bottom thereof. Three series of these apertures are herein provided, one adjacent the left-hand end of Figure 2, one midway between the ends of the block, and one substantially midway between the middle series and the opposite end of the block; this arrangement being provided in order to enable the yoke to be used with' different classes of work. Herein also the block I is provided with usual V-grooves I0, Ia of different size in its opposite top and bottom faces in such manner that work, herein indicated as round stock II, may be pressed into engagement with the Walls ofthese grooves by the working end of the threaded clamping member 3 and thereby clamp the workgsecurelyto the block I when the latter is carried' on or suitably connected to any suitable supportingsurface; a longitudinal aperture I2 herein being provided, for example, to permit the block I to be attached to a supporting rod. Moreover, it will be noted that herein improved holding mechanism adapted to cooperate with the improved holding members is provided, this mechanism herein being of detent type and further so disposed relative to the series of apertures 9 as to permit a single mechanism to cooperate with the improved members 5, irrespective o the` location of the yoke in the different longitudinally spaced series of apertures 9 and also irrespective of whether the yoke 2 is inserted from the top or bottom of the block I.

Referring more particularly to this detent'v mechanism, it will be noted that it comprises a pair of detents disposed longitudinally along opposite side faces of the block I and each cooperating with a different prong or holdingmember 5. As shown, a longitudinally extending T groove II3 is provided in each side wall I4' comprising a narrow entry portion I5 and a wider inner or cross portion I6, herein of rectangular cross section. In this latter portion I6, a longitudinally extendingholding member or strip I1, substantially narrower than the portion I6 and as high as the latter but preferably of slightly less height than the notch 6, is disposed so that each strip extends longitudinally of the .block across the apertures 9 on that side of the block. Further, it will be observed that each strip. has an inwardly projecting stud I8 thereon midway between its ends extending into a socket I9 wherein it is surrounded by a coiled spring 20,

one end of which engages, the bottom ofthe aperture I9, while the other engages the strip around the stud I8, in such manner as normally to hold the strip in a laterally projected position slightly beyond that shownin Figures 1 and 3, with the outer face of the strip engaging the upper and lower outer Walls of the longitudinal passage I6. Moreover, it will be observed that preferably at a point substantially midway between the` ends ofv each strip I1, an actuating button 2| projects outward therefrom into the longitudinal groove portion I5, in such manner as, to provide means whereby an operator may simultaneously press the strips I1 from the position shown in Figures 1 and 3 to the position shownrin Figure '4, wherein the inner faces of the strips engage the inner longitudinal walls of thevportion I6. The outer ends of these buttonsl do not, however, extend beyond the plane of the side walls I4 of the block, as will be evident from Figures l and 4. In a preferred construction, these buttons also carry the studs I8 and have the latter disposed coaxially therewith and of such size as to enable both to be readily and quickly assembled on the strips by merely driving or pressing the studs through a suitable hole in the strips. VThus, it will be evident that cooperating detent mechanism is provided which, upon insertion of the members -5 in any ofthe series of apertures 9, will automatically interlock with the prongs 5, while the operator, by pressing in the buttons 2l, may release the members 5 whenever desired, to permit withdrawal of the latter with the yoke 2.

In the use of my improved construction, when new work is placed in the grooves I9 on the block I, the yoke 2 is moved into operative engagement with the block, bymerely entering the prongs or holding members 5 in either end of the 'selected series of longitudinally spaced apertures 9. As` these members4 5 `move into these apertures, the elongated sloping portions on the inner faces of their ends 1 engage the outer upper edges of the strips I1 in such manner as to force the latter inward in the portions I6 of the slots I3 until the portions 8 have passed the strips I1. When, however, the lower ends of the notches B are opposite these strips I1, the springs 29 then automatically project the members I1 outward into these notches 6, as shown in Figure 3, in such manner as thereby to provide an eiective interlock with the members 5, preventing the withdrawal of the latter. In this position of the parts, it will be noted that the bottom walls of the notches 6 will engage the .under sides of the members I1, while the outer walls of the members I1 are pressed against the vertical walls'of the notches 6 and the strips I1 are heldY against vertical movement in either direction by the top and bottom walls of the portions I6 extending between the several apertures 9. Further, it will be observed that the Vupper wall of each notch 6 is spaced above the upper edge of its strip and that each shoulder 4 on Ythe yoke 2 is also spaced above the upper surface of the block I, so that a free entry of the member I1 into the notches 6 is provided. With the yoke and block thus automatically connected by the automatically operative detent mechanism, it will be evident that only a slight movement of the member 3 is necessary to clamp thework. y Also, whenthe desired operation on the Work is completed, the latter is readily released bythe operator, who, after releasing the clamp 3, simply presses in the buttons 2| by his thumb and finger, which causes the portions I1 to be moved laterally out of the notches 6 in suchmanner as to permit the members 5 to be readily withdrawn with the yoke 2 without requiring any more than a minimum releasing operation of the clamping member 3.

As a result of my improved construction, it is made possible quickly and easilyv to locate the yoke in predetermined positions on the block and also materially to expedite the clamping and releasing of the work in the V-block, all necessity for the previously necessary extensive operations of Ythe threaded member 3 being eliminated.

Further, with the strips I1 extending longitudi- -nally throughout the length of the block I, the single strips on each side of the latter are enabled to function with the members 5, irrespective of the longitudinal location of the latter, while the substantially centrally located springs 2B similarly cooperate effectively with the members I1, irrespective of the longitudinal position of the yokeLand both these studs I8 and the springs prevent longitudinal loss of the strips. Also, with the substantially centrally located buttons 2 I, it is found that the strips I1 are readily moved to releasing position in any longitudinal position of the yoke. Thus, obviously, where different pieces of the same stock are being successively operated upon, the necessary operations areminimized, the operator only being required to slipthe yoke into operative position with a minimum of adjustment of the member 3, and upon'completion .of the operation on the work, pushing in the buttons 2| to effect a quick ref lease thereof. With the prongs 5 disposed in the apertures 9 and the buttons 2l within the grooves I5 at all times, it is also made possible to support the block either on its sides or bottom, while since the apertures 9 extend from top to bottom, the block can be used in either of its inverted positions. 1Further, it'will be apparent that the structure is such as to be very economically produced, while the strips I1 are so located and guided in their possible movements as to enable the work holding mechanism to be quite precise in its construction and to be adapted to long use in service.

In Figure 6 I have shown a modied construction wherein the holding members or prongs 5 are elongated and, instead of one set of notches 6 being provided in these members, two such sets of notches are provided. Here it will be observed that between the top and bottom notches, an intermediate portion 8a is provided, generally corresponding to the portion 8, and having a sloping undersurface 'Ia which performs the function of the surface l heretofore described. This construction is especially adapted to use where it is desired to clamp large work or Work of widely varying size, the elongated holding members or prongs 5 being adapted to be held by either their top or bottom notches, as desired, in such manner as thus further to minimize the necessary operation of the clamping member 3. Obviously, this construction may be used with a block l of the same construction as heretofore described, it only being necessary to provide a yoke 2 having the elongated prongs 5.

In Figures 7, 8 and 9, I have shown a further modied construction adapted to be used, if desired, in lieu of the detent strip mechanism heretofore described. In this construction, each strip Ila is provided with a plurality of spaced holes 22 therein on opposite sides of the button 2|, and headed screws 23 have their Shanks inserted freely through these holes and are threaded in the inside walls of a larger slot 24 of rectangular cross section and of uniform height clear out to the outside faces of the block. Further, it will be noted that in this construction, the strip lla is also provided with a series of spaced notches 25 in its lower edge spaced along the same so as to be opposite the several series of longitudinally spaced apertures 9, while the button 2l is also preferably of such diameter as also to assist in guiding the plate in its movement in the slot 24. Here, it will also be observed that V-grooves I0, a are also provided of diierent size and that the slot 24 on each face I4 of the block is substantially centrally located between the inner extremities of these V-grooves. With such a construction, it will Abe evident that holding members or prongs 5 such as previously described, may be used, and that their portions 1, 8 will cooperate with the strips l'la in substantially the same manner as heretofore described, although with their portions 8 engaging in the notches 25 or with the upper edge of the plates lla, depending upon whether the prongs are inserted from the top or bottom of the block.

While I have in this application specifically described certain forms which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same have been chosen for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its .spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A Work holder comprising a block having a V-shaped work seat and a yoke member adapted to span said seat and having prongs received in openings in the block, detent means movably mounted in the block and projecting into said openings to engage and retain said prongs therein, said detent means being actuated to nonobstructing position by said prongs When the latter are inserted into the openings, and means accessible at a face of the block for moving said detent means to releasing position.

2. A work holder comprising a block having a V-shaped work seat and a yoke member adapted to span said seat and having prongs received in openings in the block, detent means movably mounted in the block and projecting into said openings to engage and retain said prongs therein, said detent means being actuated to nonobstructing position by said prongs When the latter are inserted into the openings, and a push button movably mounted in the block and accessible at one face thereof for moving each of said detent means to releasing position.

3. In a work holder, a work-holding block having spaced apertures between the side walls thereof, a cooperating holding member having prongs receivable in said apertures, detent mechanism on said prongs and block connectible upon relative reciprocation of said prongs in said apertures and including spring-pressed members in said block normally projected into said apertures, member-receiving recesses Wider than said spring-pressed members and in the inner walls of said apertures and having opposite walls forming abutments for said spring-pressed members, springs in said recesses normally projecting said spring-pressed members into the paths of said prongs, and releasing members acting on the outer faces of said spring pressed members.

4. In a work holder, a Work-holding block having spaced apertures within the lateral limits of the sides of the block and extending through the top and bottom faces of the block, a cooperating work holder having prongs and detent portions on the latter receivable in said apertures from either said top or bottom face, and cooperating detent mechanism inside said block including notched strips in said apertures biased to cooperate with said detent portions, said block having longitudinal grooves in its side faces and said strips -being disposed in said grooves and having spaced strip-guiding members also disposed within said grooves.

JOHN JESIONOWSKI. 

